chicks in shipping-- tell me not to panic

[feliciadawn]

They are supposed to all be pullets. Furthermore, the hatchery confirmed they are 7 weeks, born Sept. 15.

 

[LaFleche]

I don't want to be a negative nancy and I really hope that they will all perk up now that they will receive your loving care.

But if they really are 7 weeks old, I wonder about the ways and care to raise/feed the chicks at this hatchery, as they should be much more developed and of course only ship healthy chicks and not sick ones pooping blood.

 

[feliciadawn]

Tell me about it LaFleche. I am so sad for the poor little chicks. I hope to be able to perk them up. Thank goodness I had corid on hand.

 

[LaFleche]

Tell me about it LaFleche. I am so sad for the poor little chicks. I hope to be able to perk them up. Thank goodness I had corid on hand.

Fingers crossed

 

[Kusanar]

This just seems really fishy. You cannot ship live birds of any type through UPS, USPS will only ship day old chicks and adult birds and for adults each one must weigh more than 6 ounces. Are these chicks heavy enough to be "adult birds"?

If not, then they shipped these chicks illegally.

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

There is no way those are 7 weeks old (imo). Even if they were being raised improperly that should mainly affect their size, how robust their feathering is and their health in general. The areas on the body where feathers grow shouldn't be affected I wouldn't think. They don't have feathering on their heads, and they should at least have some at that age.

 

[CrazyCochin]

Never had it, so sorry, I can't tell you not to panic, but I can comfort you!

I have some 7-week old chicks currently being shipped from a small hatchery in New Mexico (I am in PA.). I ordered them a month ago, when they were smaller. They were supposedly ready to be shipped then, but various delays occurred (mostly on the seller's end) and they weren't shipped until last night. My concern is that, despite the seller telling me it would be 2-day shipping, tracking is saying they won't arrive until Saturday. Also today is a federal holiday so I can't talk to anyone at the post office. Can anyone reassure me? Are my poor chicks stranded somewhere for the holiday -- or are they still in transit? It is common for the tracking to add 2 extra days?

Thanks -- I look forward to your sage advice. I am so worried, I should have just gotten the hatching eggs.

 

[ackie]

Faverolles are slow growing birds.. but share some pics if you're able.

So happy they arrived earlier than the stated time, love when that happens! And all alive, score!

No, don't separate.. just give plenty of space and resources.. show them where your heat is several times if needed.. if they use it and appreciate it.. then so be it.

If you don't have blu kote don't buy it (got blue food coloring and neosporin, I wouldn't even bother, unless TRULY needed and still being bullied).. if you have it you can use it... red doesn't attract pecking... anything that looks out of the ordinary attracts pecking.. and when blood is discovered they get super excited by the richness of it and keep going for more. Tiny scabs look just like a bug, peck, delicious blood. Bigger wounds don't look as much like a possible bug score. Even if they weren't over crowded, I'm sure they were likely bored.

Add in some enrichment.. things to peck at (toys, marbles, painted polka dots on the walls, a clump of grass with roots, dirt, and all,) and something to jump/perch on during day time.. provide an over night darkness for regular sleep so they are well rested and less irritable toward each other.

Is it possible to tell if the picking she suffered even took place during shipping and not before? Most older birds I am transporting are a tad unsure and hunker down together for the trip even when not originally friends.. Safety in numbers when your life is at stake, time for pecking order later.

So glad panic proved totally unwarranted.. as it often does!

ETA: I see bleeding was active upon arrival.. I would let it dry out and go from there.

This just seems really fishy. You cannot ship live birds of any type through UPS, USPS will only ship day old chicks and adult birds and for adults each one must weigh more than 6 ounces. Are these chicks heavy enough to be "adult birds"?

If not, then they shipped these chicks illegally.

that's good to know.

 

[feliciadawn]

i agree that something is really off here. Who should i report it to? I mean they are clearly sick birds. I only have her word for it that she vaccinated for Mareks. Even if I quarantine them, and treat the coccidosis, am I ever going to be able to put them with the rest of my flock? Will they ever be normal chickens, if they started this stunted?

I think i will start a new thread on this.

 

[ackie]

i agree that something is really off here. Who should i report it to? I mean they are clearly sick birds. I only have her word for it that she vaccinated for Mareks. Even if I quarantine them, and treat the coccidosis, am I ever going to be able to put them with the rest of my flock? Will they ever be normal chickens, if they started this stunted?

I think i will start a new thread on this.

Have you contacted the hatchery yet to discuss any of this?